Brunei Day 17 - Smooth Journey

Had another driving lesson today. I have now completed a total of 8 hours of driving lessons. I had opted to book 4 more extra hours so as to practice some parkings and such, that'll be another SGD60.

So far driving on the road had been quite smooth today. The weather is sweltering hot today. I have to had my windows wind down as I need to stick my head out occasionally for alignment while making turns. My skin turned red at the end of the lesson.

Also, my instructor made me drive into Land Transport compound and then out into the those small roads with plenty of junctions and humps, all to drill into me that I should always practice clutch and brake, clutch and brake!!

I almost had an accident at the end of yesterday's lesson. I forgot to apply clutch and brake to slow down the car before turning into the road(sharp bend) leading to my home. I was in the second gear but the car was still rather fast as I had just geared down. The car swerved and almost hit the fire hydrant beside the road. Luckily nothing untoward happened.

Now I am feeling much more comfortable sitting in the driver's seat, and also with the Daihatsu Charade which I have been driving these few days. Been having much better control at the hilly ramp part, no more rolling backwards down the ramp. I had the least practice on this part. Hopefully I will pass my driving test next week.

Brunei Day 15 - The Day The Egg Stood Up

I notice a strange phenomenon in my kitchen today. As I entered my kitchen, I saw an egg standing upright by itself at a kitchen counter. I thus tried playing with some other eggs, but none could stand upright. However, strangely, around 12 40 it suddenly fall down by itself without any visible external factors.

Went for driving lessons in the hot sunny afternoon - can get some tan. I am pleased to say my theory result is LULUS (pass). Today's lessons include stopping on a ramp, and then climbing over the hill, make a turn followed by 3 parkings. 2 reverse parkings and 1 front parking on a small lot. Finally I managed to align my car parallel to the demarcated lines, but my clutch control is still not very good.

At the end of the lesson, my instructor asked me to drive myself home. It's only my second day, but it was fun. The most funny thing was while making a U-turn at a roundabout I accidentally pressed brake too hard and cars were coming on all sides. I'm glad I made it home ALIVE!!! I really need to have more confidence in myself.

To date I have learned quite many stuffs. My driving test is booked on next Thursday afternoon. Tomorrow I will be learning 3-point turn, not sure about parallel parking though. Really express course indeed!! I still cannot do reverse parking on the small lot smoothly!

Since it's dumpling festival today, we went to the KB beach. It is a Chinese tradition to go to the beach on this special day. Saw a group of my secondary friends there, but I didn't went up to say 'hi'. By avoiding contact I saved them the trouble of trying to cook up some excuses on excluding me. It's not the first time by the way. Also I see no need to establish a strong rapport, since we are not very close. Anyway they are all rich kids, so I guess it doesn't matter.

Saw a sunset by the beach. I really don't know what is so beautiful or mesmerizing or romantic about sunsets. You get to see them every day in Brunei - while driving, by the beach etc. Here are some pictures taken for the day:

Playground before reaching the beach

Crowds at the beach during evening time

The glowing orange sun hanging precariously above the horizon

Gentle waves lapping at the shores

Locals playing in the waves and by the shoreline

A view back inland from the sandy beach

The setting sun at the horizon

Brunei Day 14 - Father's Day

Supposed to post earlier to make the post stay within June 17, but got a surprise call from Singapore, lolx...

Celebrated the day with lots of praying, in advance of the dumpling festival on Tuesday. Ordered some pick-ups from Pizza Hut in Mumong area to celebrate the event. Actually since young our family didn't really celebrate these kind of events, but however these few years we have celebrating them, which is a pleasant twist.

After gorging down the food, we went to my Ah-goong (grandpa) house for more praying and offerings. As usual, the German Shephard there barked like mad upon seeing us. My relatives were playing mahjong, and of course being a good kid I did not join in. One of my uncles had a baby recently, and they commented that the baby's face resembled me... How could that be!!!

Had a wonderful dinner with Shark's Fin Soup to further mark the event... This is like the second or third time I had it since I'm back. I think I will soon get sick of it!!!

Ohh yeah... Finally find the Polo Ralph Lauren in Soon Lee MiniMart... Only for SGD29.90 and there is a sale coming probably this coming week... It is just like the original as displayed on the website... Wahaha... Maybe next time can buy branded stuffs back in Brunei as it is cheaper...

Honey Garlic Chicken Pizza from local Pizza Hut Store

Honey Chicken Wings from Pizza Hut

Polo Ralph Lauren Shirt - everything is exactly the same as shown in its website

Tomorrow evening I will be having my first driving lesson. I am a little excited to be able to drive soon. The rates are charged at SGD15 an hour. Brunei traffic law mandates that only a minimum of 10 hours of driving lessons in a driving school are compulsory. I think I'll probably do a little more.

Also, my driving theory test results will be released tomorrow. I'm really scared that I will fail as it will mean that this trip of mine back home is a total waste of time. I prayed hard I didn't make any careless mistakes on the First Section as sometimes I tend to carelessly mis-read some Malay words, especially in multiple choices. I sincerely prayed that I will pass.......

Brunei Day 10 - 10 Minutes To Midnight

Finally sat for the driving theory test at Land Transport Department. There were only 3 of us sitting for the test this afternoon. Probably most have opted for the morning test session. The result will probably take 3 working days or more to be processed.

Meanwhile I think I should start taking driving lessons. Each lesson costs $15 and lasts for an hour. It is almost the middle of June now, and there are only two and a half weeks left before I will be returning to Singapore again. Finished watching Heroes Season 1, and am now eagerly anticipating its second season, haha...

Now that the test is over, I can go and pursue other matters at hand... Not much plan on how to spend the remaining week though, and some of my friends will be visiting KL next week, so I guess I'll just concentrate on my driving lessons.

Brunei Day 9 - The Day Just Ended

Went to visit the dentist early this morning. I was supposed to visit the dentist yesterday morning, but it turned out to be a stormy morning, so my sister (the driver) decided to continue sleeping and as result I continued mine.

It was a smooth process during this visit. No missing files whatsoever. It only costs $3 for check-up and scaling. Citizens of Brunei have it free anyway. Passed by the gynecology section on the way out and it was so FULL of people. So many newly-borns and expecting mother!!

The morning was sunny and lacking a mode of transport, I walked home. KB town is rather small and breezy, thus it was a rather enjoyable walk. I could give myself a little tan and the breeze will keep me cool. Along the way, I took some pictures as my camera was in my bag.

Another view of the hospital, adjacent to the dentistry section

Road leading to KB town center - the tallest building in town looms in the background

The Jubilee Monument, beside Belait River, less than 5 min walk from my house

A larger view of the greenery in the park beside the monument

Went OGDC (Oil Gas Development Center) in Seria, my neighboring town with my secondary classmates to catch a movie, Blades of Glory for $6 on Sunday. Honestly speaking I did not know that there was a cinema there, albeit a small one - 75 seater. There were only less than 10 of us watching the movie at that time. It was hilarious, and we being the largest group, practically had the cinema to ourselves.

I will be taking my driving theory test tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully everything goes well. I am a little nervous as Section A - identifying road signs, requires the answers to be immaculate. A single mistake in this section will warrant a "Fail" stamp and no issuing of "L" license.

Brunei Day 6 - Another Post

Time flies! In just a blink of an eye I am back home for almost a week. Things had been rather slow this week, but I'm glad everything is going along smoothly.

I have managed to enroll myself in AsohRaya Driving School. I have no idea why there are suddenly so many people in Kuala Belait registering for a driving license. I had a hard time scouting for schools to accommodate my one month schedule.

Registered for driving theory test next Wednesday afternoon, and thereafter I can start my driving lessons. Hopefully everything goes well, as wrongly identifying a road sign will be given immediate failure. I opted for the test in Malay Language, a language I am rather familiar with. The total estimated cost is about SGD400+. A little expensive by local rates, but is still all right as their cars are brand new!

Haven't been doing much lately. Been watching Prison Break Season 2 and Heroes. Completely addicted to Heroes, haha.... Met a friend at Smart this afternoon. She was rather shocked to see me back in town. Time to contact some old friends...

Suddenly I found KB a little small... The only thing I like about here is the friendliness of the local populace. Strangers can just chat up without fearing any ulterior motives from the other party, and are more willing to lend a helping hand, as encountered a few times, unlike "cold" Singaporean society. Spaces abound, and everyone owns a house sitting on a piece of land and at least a car - these are just basic necessities!

Brunei Day 2 - Backdated Post...

It was really an ordeal traveling to JB airport. I didn't realized my luggage was so heavy (14 kg) until I checked-in at the airport counter. I had no idea how I'd hauled such a weight across the causeway.

The taxi driver at JB customs try to throat-cut me by telling me it was RM50 to the airport. I blatantly refused, and he decided to adopt the standard rate - RM40. Arrived at the airport too early though, and I managed to kill some time by dozing off, lolx...

The flight was full, and there were a couple of families traveling with their hyperactive kids who wouldn't sit still throughout the flight. Sitting beside me was a Spanish couple who were incessantly talking non-stop for 2 hours. On top of that, they were munching and munching non-stop too. A strong-smelling cake before take off, tidbits, a meal from the flight, and then tidbits till landing.

Arrived in Miri, Sarawak on time. There were a number of Singaporeans on flight too. Encountered a funny incident at Miri Airport, probably I think too much or what. Toured Miri till ard 9pm before heading towards Brunei's border. Such unpleasant journey, my parents were quarreling again.

I feel kinda boring here. I have some problems with an unstable wireless connection. Anyway, I registered for my provisional driving license and had enrolled in a driving school for SGD110. Soon I'll be taking the Driving Code exam. I should be able to get license on schedule, I think.

My provisional license

I think I better go do some programming and stuffs... Sianz...